Apparatus for displaying changeable pictures



Apnl 1927' A, ARCHIPENKO APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING CHANGEABLE PICTURES I Filed June 2,1925 .5 fihaets-Shggt 1 Lil I ittmmqs 7 1,626,496 Apr! 1927' A. ARCHIPENKO APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING CHANGEABLE PICTURES Filed June2, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 26, 1927. 1,626,496

A. ARCHIPENKO APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING CHANGEABLE PICTURES Filed Jun 2. 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 April 26, 192?. 352 9 A. ARCHIPENKC APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING GHANGEABLE PICTURES Filed June 2. 1925 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 W a 6 W V V a? April 26, 1927.

A. ARCHIPENKO APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING CHANGEABLE PICTURES Filed June 2. 1925 5 ShQBtSPShBBt 5 I 61 km: M2118:

amxaunna ancnrrnnxo, or' mew Yong; n. Y, APPARATUS ron msrna iivei'dmnonanm morons. Application med mm, 1925. B er-131 110. a4,4aa.

Ifi My inventionv relates' toi'chang'eable piclture. devices and more partic arly to a mechanical motion picture or Changeable picturedevic'eof the general type in which the effect is produced by movement ofportions V of the picture-plane surface or in which portions of the picture are changed, which portions consist respectively of narrow portions of different belts or aprons :mount-ed for movement in'fixed locationsein the picture'plane. g

a This apparatus is peculiarly adapted to I displaying the decoratedbelt units prepared in accordance with the method of decorating described in my application Serial No.

The apparatus of the present invention may; be 'used for operating the belts whilethey are'being decorated or for later d1s-.

playing the same or other previously decorated belts.

The improvements are designed primarily I for displaying a'single picture or scene m such a manner as to suggest life and movement, the phases of the picture or scene changing gradually so as to merge, fade or I 1 develop into one another in a smooth and 'jnatural'manner. The resultant pictures are peculiar in that one characteristic of them is a tendency to provide an optical illusion effect, possibly due to the fact that the display field does'not move as a whole, but in fact the surfaces comprising the field are so smallthat no movement is noticeable unless the observer is very close to the machine. The method of decoration uires as a ."fundamen'tal some-apparatus o the type hereinafter particularly described and which plete changeable vpicture device, partly in may be briefly classed as that in which a surface to be either decorated or displayed is made-11p of a large number of relativel narrow, surfaces, preferably'quite flat, and the assembly of the narrow surfaces roriding a substantially plane surface. ahe

narrow surfaces are respectively portions of long belts grouped together and so mounted as to display only a restricted portion thereof at any one time.

Another peculiarity of this structure is that no one belt will receive a picture completein itself, assuming that a belt might be' withdrawn from the machine and displayed in its extended form. It is also peunit capable of being removed from or Jmounting or disorganizing the capable of being interchanged .stantiallv self-braced and protected against and claims, and illustrated in the accomculiar for the reason that the method re quires the use of an assembly of surfaces. The belts cannot be decorated separately 21 art from the assembly and then assembled a though theoretically possible, 'it is not practical.

One important objectvof the f invention. is to provide an apparatus of the above ty in which the movable elements of the picture-plane surface may be maintained in contactto present a continuous surface without rubbing and "consequent wear between. the 66 said movable elements. i Another object is to arrangethe complete set of picture-plane elements in a separable placed in the remainder of the apparatus and working relation between the movable p cture-plane elements, andfwithout dis mechanism, thus rendering such completesets or display units interchan' cable and persons unskilled in the handling of mach nery. v A further object is to provide interchan eable units of the above type that may collapsed or reduced in bulk in such manner Y that the operative adjustments of the. parts will be preserved and the unit will be sub- 1 injury shipment.

The above and additional features and details of my invention will be described and claimed in the followin specification panying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the comsection;

Figure 2 is a front elevation; I Figure 3 is an enlarged detail view of the reversing mechanism; Figure 4 is a side view of Figure 3 partly in section; v

Figure 5 is a detail view of the reversing lever;

'Figure 6 is a plan View of the display unit withthe immediately associated elements of the machine, on a reduced scale;

Figure 7 is a erspective'view of a display unit remove from the machine, partly in section; and a '70 without disturbing the proper registering.

driving 'i 3 ective v ew, on a, much;

; Fi ui-s'isae'rs g folded ffor reduced scale, "of J a ispl'ayInnit storage or-ishipment. .i

Figure 9.--'s z a perspective view of a media; nism for providing intermittent .motion, nas

alternative to. the continuous drive mechanismshown in Figureslrand-i2. Y Referring "to the drawings in detail, and" first to Figures; -1;.to .5, the base; ofithe. de'= vice onwhich the; various:partsare -mounted Sis indicatedat: 1. COIif-thisrbase -isgmounted a driving motor 2 illustrated.asan electric Y fmotoriandwhich-may' be controlled-;='by any i suitable switch or other means,".not"f'illus- .trated. 'lhe driving shaft "3 is coupled through pinion 4:.and gear5'witha-counterfi shaft 6 which carried. a bevel :gear 7. "This bevel: gear 7 meshes with a pair. ofopp'o- 'sitely arranged bevel gears 8 :and 9, loosely orrotatably mountedon'theishaftlO (Figures- 3- and 4) so as to be :turned rthe'reongin opposite directions bvthe gear 7, the shaft 10 havingbearings in the frame -'11.' The gears Sand 9 are provided with clutch faces 12 and- 13, respectively, -:complementaryto; r the clutchfaces '14. and? 15 ofadouble face 1 sliding clutch member 16*spli-ned;0n-the I shaft '10 and provided-with an annular or circumferential. groove 17 engaged by 0.

shifting yoke or-fork- 18for-slidingthe mov able c'lutch, member :into and but ofv engagemenr'witn the complementary clutch faces on the oppositelvrotatinggearsa8, .9. To secure a straight line movementofthe fork 18 alongthe- .axis of. the shaft .10, the fork is mounted: on f a straight carriage or plate 119 slidablvamountedin notchesinthe i front edges of the'sidefportions offrame 11,

' as indicated in Figure-4. and held therein...

40. by flat bearing caps'20.-21-. *Reciprocatingmovement of the plate19is efiectedthroiigh I a pin. 22'niounted thereon and arranged to be engaged by a fork 23 'at the lower end 1 I of alever' 24 pivoted at 25 'onuthe shaft 26;. mounted in the "frame 27 The upper po'rtion of the lever 24 is in the form of a transverse frame made rigid by a cylindrical} "bracerod29... To insure aquick or snapz-movemen'tgof ht'he lever 24 and give an elf-center bias thereto, similar 30 is slidably mounted thereon above thepivot 25by means jofaicarriage 31 and "slot 32', and madeto constahtlv bear. Idownward on the stationary eam 33;:formed' on the "upper portion of framew27, under.

- tension of the retractile springs 34, connect ed between thecarriage "31 and the lo'wer or hearing; 28-on the shaft 26. and a transversefl I 1 through rollers 67-438 ournaled in the pan of blocks .69.70 fixed to the lower -.oorners forked endfof the lever 24;" Thus,when-the frame 64 at predetermined limits of travel.

upper'pa rt of the lever 24 is. moved slightly fo either side of the central position shown: 1 in Figure3, theroller' 31 'passin-g to one side. "of the central c'restof the cam. 33 .will'ride down into one'or the other of the/depressions of the cam under tensionof the retracthe direction of rotation.v

.- "."1',o a6,a q

springs and rockythe' leverv on the pivot 25, swingmg' the fork' v with the pin22 and sliding the plate 19.

.23 into engagement given amount of lost motion; is allowed b'e- .ftween the arms of the fork 23 and, 1111 22 to prevent movement of the "plate 19 urmg .movement' of the rollerfrom one extreme side or Loam depression to the central crest.

.As. the clutch memberlG -is splined on .the shaft 10 this shaft is caused to :rotate with o'ne of'the two o-ppos'itelydriven bevel gears 8 or 9 according to the direction in which the :clutchl'is thrown.

'.'-Motion is transmitted fronnthe shaft 10 through the bevel gears 35 and 36 carried'at its 'ends', and'bevel gears 37 and 38 to the vertical shafts 39 and 40, respectively, the

gears 37 and 38 being fixed to their respective shafts and so positioned thereonin relation to-the driving gears 35 and 36'as to cause'the shafts .32 and 40 toalways moveintheisarne direction. The vertical shafts 39. and 40 transin-it motion to four screw-feed shafts, two of which are indicated at'41 and.42 in.Figure 1, the other two, not shown, being similarly disposed on the other side of the machine: Motion is transmitted from the shaft 40 Figures 1 and 2) to the screw shafts 41 and 42thro'ugh the pairs of bevel gears 43, 44 and 45, 46, respectively. Similarly, mo-

tio'niis transmitted to the upper'and lower screw shafts on the otherside of the machine through'the pairs ofgears 47, 48 and 49,. 50. f

i A-set of fourhorizontal rails 51, '52, 53 and 54 (Figures 1 and 2) extend from front 'torear of the machine supported on the p frame members 55. 56, 57, 58 .(Figure 2),in ."front, and 59, 60 (Figure 1) and others similarly positioned on the opposite side, inthe rear, the upper frame members being sup- ;ported on four large verticalangle beams on "columns, of which-three are shown, 61, 62

and 63. Q

A movable throughnot'ches in the pair'ofblocks 65-66 framel64 'is. mounted onthe 'four rails 51 to 54, engaging the top' rails r d on the. upper corners of the movable i 7 frame, and resting on the lower rails of themovable frame. Thefour blocks-65,

shafts in-the same direction will drivepthe .66," 69and 70 are provided with openings in thr iledv engagementwith the feed-screw? 1 shafts, so that rotation of all four scrwf' movable frame 64 along'the railsiforward f-To reverse the direction-of travel of the the frame in its movement is caused to actuate the reversing clutch lever 24 throuqh a tripping bracket 71 (Figures 2, 3,-1-and 4) and a bell-crank lever 72 which is mounted.

on' a supporting postj72. The bell crank v adjustably tripping of. the lever 24. Pivots 74 and lever 72 has itscentraI or stationary pivot at 73'on the post 72', while one arm is pivoted to the frame 64 at 7 .1:- and the other arm pivoted to the tripping bracket 71 at 7 5.

The tritpping bracket 71 is slidablymounted on the at bar 7 6 fixed to the frame members 55 and 56 (Figure 2), and-carries a pair of upstanding, posts 77-78 arrangedyas shown in Figures 3 and 4, to engage with the top horizontal or cross member of the lever 24 and trip the same in the sliding movement of the tripping bracket, the posts 77-78 being mounted 'to permit variation of the spacmgbetween' them for timing the 75 are respectively in slots 74 .and 75*. r I

To avoid making the-rear arm of the bell crank lever sufficiently long to follow the en- ."t-iremovement of the movable frame, it' may be actuated thereby through any suitable lost motion connection such as a chain (not.

" shown), or elongated slot and pinconnection (as shown in .Figure .5) arranged to communicate motion of the frame to the lever when the frame is near one of its limits of travel only. I

The apparatus-above described constitutes the driving mechanism of the system. Before proceeding to a. .detailed description of the display unit and its operation, the operation of the driving mechanism in producing a reciprocating motion of the. display actu: ating frame 64 will be briefly described.

Operation of driving. mechanisms. The

motor 2 being put into operation, motion is transmittedfrom the motor shaft '3 through gears 4, 5 and shaft 63to bevel gear 7'rotating it constantlyin' a clockwise direction, as viewed-in Figure ,2, which in turn rotates the loose bevel gears 8 and 9 in opposite directions. The clutch member lfibeing in the position shown in Figure 2, m engagement with the clutch face on wheel .9, mo-' tion is transmitteflfrom. 9 to the shaft 10 from which motion istransmitted throughgears-37 and 3638 to shafts 39 and 40 and from them to thefour screw shafts 41,

42, etc. by way of the four sets of bevel gears; iii-44, iii-46, 47- 48 and 452-50, the various gears and shafts turning in the direction indicated by the adjacent arrows. .This' C8.llSS. the movable frame fi-l to move forwardlypf the machine transmitting motion through the bell-crank lever 72 to the tripping bracket 7l to move it toward the right 'as the frame 64 moves forward until the frame 64 arrives atits forward limit, predetermined by the setting of the posts ?7-' '& when the, post 77 striking the lever 24 Wlll trip it to the right (Figure 2), cansing the clutch member 16 to move out of en- 'gagement with the clutch 'm-en'ibcr on gear 9 and into engagement with that of gear 8.

This reverses the motion of the screw shafts causing the movable frame 64 to more totransmitted from the frame 64 through bellcrank lever 72 to the tripping bracket 71 to move it. toward the left in Figure 2 until the framefirl reaches therearward limit of. its travel as determined by the setting 0i.

post 7 8, whereupon the clutch lever 24 is engaged byzthe-post 78 and tripped to the left,

reversing the motion of the machine. This completes the cycle of operations which may be repeated indefinitely.

v Referring'now tothe'display unit, this is shown in operative connection with the driv- 'ing mechanism, Figure 1, where it is indi-' cated-as a whole by the reference numeral 1 79, and is shown removed from the machine m F1gures'7 and 18.v 'It consists essentially of an arrangement for presentlng a display surface or picture plane '80, 'composed"of movable'surfaceelements 81 inthe form of; narrow strips ]uxtaposed one above thev other, to form a continuous plane surface and constituted of portionsof different belts 1 or aprons 82 movableinto and out of the picture plane, the movement being" -accomphshed by the driving mechanism above described. The height of the display portions 8Z1v of each strip-may vary from less than one" inch to greater than one inch depending on the'size' of-the entire -sur face,-the type of illustration-and the ultimate effect to be height and aboutonehundredwere used in the assembly.

In the practical embodiment vhereshown, the aprons -82 are illustrated as in substant-ially continuous-loops held in place. in the conveyedh In one installation .the strips 1 V were about'three quarters. 'of one ;;inch in.-

two frames 8384 by spaced platens 85 over which they pass, the platens being mounted in the frames on cubes 86 at each endnvhich cubes are. secured 'tothe flat bars 87 fixed in the :frame's. The aprons 82 actually are not woven as continuous bands but are each, A

single strips looped backand having opposite ends abutting as at '94 in Fig. 6 and both held "by-common fastening' means and I" thus theexpression endless is used to express the id that the aprons are'substam t-iallv coutinuous. As shown, the platens 85 are in the form of angle beams with beveled edges to prevent wear of the anrons"82 and reduce friction, and so spaced byproper "spacing of the blocks-86 as to bring the aprons passingtherebetweon in contact with} each other to present a solid front where they pass over the outer faces of the. platens 85. Because of the contact between adjacent apron surfaces, itis imnortant that there be no relative movement between such surfaces to produce rubbing or wear-which would result in mar-ring of the picture-portions. To prevent any such relative movemcnt. means are provided for positively and directly moving all the aprons in unison.

' This consists -of a middle eh annel frame built up of anglemembers 88-89 carrying a series of cross beams 90, preferably of I wood, to-each of which adjacent portions of a'pair of aprons are secured by means of clamping plates 9l, fastened by screws 92.

J Turned up end portions 93 of the clamping "means. for,joining the ends of the apronplates are positioned in the channel of the frame 88'89-- and serve as spacer elements to properly space the beams 90 with which the plates 91arc coextensive, as indicated in] Figure 7. The plates 91 also may serve as loops by, clamping them, as indicated in dotted lines at 94 in Figure 6. The beams 90 Land-plates 91 are,- held in the channel frame88-89 securely and firmly,especially against lost-motion: in a horizontal direction so as to form a unitary or common, direct, rigid connection between all the aprons, resultingv in "movement of all the ,aprons in unison.

he display unit rests in the machine one pair of longitudinal beams 95, with the j front and-rear upright beams 61, 62-, etc.

I of the machine by means of cleats 96. Fig- I I ures 1, 2 and 6, pivoted on theangle beams I frames83 and 84 inthreaded engagement therewith, and positioned to bear against the"cleat s 96..

a As indicated in Figure -'6, the middle frame 88*89; of the display unit is fastoned tothe movable frame 64 of the-driv- (Figures-1, 2 andfil.

ins! mechanism by means of the screws 98 1 Operationof display unit: With the parts,

' connected as above described and the driv- -ing mechanism set in operation to reciprm rate the -movable-frame 64, as previously describeththe middle frame 88 -89 of the display unit will be reciprocated between the front and rear framesthereof, moving with it the portions of the apron loops 82 fastened to the cross beams 90 while the unattached portions move in the opposite direction} The aprons are thus caused to move over the, platens through the picture plane. alternate aprons moving in the same direction and adjacent portions in opposite directions, as indicated by the arrows i in Figu're 2. As the adjacent apron portions remain in contact during their movement into and out of the picture plane 80, the exposed portions of the aprons present a solid or continuous surface made up of strip elements 81.- Upon each complete change of elements 81 there is a complete tion in the picture.

change of the whole surface,'so that-any picture or other decoration thereon will ive place to such different picture or' ot or phase of the same as may exist on 'the suc--.

ceeding surface constituted .of the succeed ing strip elements. Thus, chan cable views ormotion picture effects may produced andwithout high speed travel of the aprons,

as it is only necessary: for the aprons to travel a distance equal to the width of one picture plane element in order to make a I complete change of View over the whole picture plane. -Also, as the chan e in elements is gradual or continuous, t e transitionof view maybe made continuous, resulting in a more complete illusion ofmovTo substitute a new;

one in use, the cleats 96 are turned up to release the end frames. 83 and 84, and the middle frame '88'89 'by disengaging the screws 98 therefrom, and the whole dlsplay unit withdrawn through the back of the ma chine, right hand side of Figure 1,the frames 83, 8889 and 84 resting and slidingfon the longitudinal beams 95. After the display unit is, removed it wilL remain intact with the operative relation of the severalparts retained as indicated in Figure 7. To reduce .bulk and protect the aprons'82 from exposure and mechanical in- 'jury during-storage or shipment, the unit may be. collapsed and made substantially f self protecting withthe addition of a few extra brace members 99, asshown-in Fig- 9- ure 8. v

display unit'for the sq. l

To install thenewdisplay unit slid in on the beams 95 from the rear right hand side of Figure .1, the front' and rear frames,

8384 fastened in place and adjusted to properly tensionthe picture aprons, and the flmiddleframe 88-89 secured to the movable a framev 64 of the driving mechanism, all as j previously described. Thus, it will be seen 'out disconnection'or. any alteration of the v 7 that the entire display may be changed with 1 driving mechanism, so that such change may "be readily made by any one. without special knowledge or skill in the handling .of ma-.- chinery. v p

.pWhere it is desirable to produce an intermittent motion ofthe aprons. of the pictureunit, the intermittent transmission mecha-- nlsm shown in Figuret) may be used for transmitting motion from the motor-2 to the bevelgear 7 (Figures 1 and 2) in sub-Q stitution of that shown in'Figures 1 and 2.;

This consists of a counter shaft 101 driven from the motor shaft 3 through the worm gear connection 102-103 and in turn driving a clutch gear 104 through a pinion 105. The clutch gear 104 is loosely mounted on the fixed shaft 106 and carries a triangular clutch dog 107 pivoted thereto at 108." The lower arm of the dog 107 is provided with the a pended claims.

strip or portion of the band. Also in contrast to 'such prior uses, the present adjacent belt structures are in close contact immediately at the lane of the icture and there is no space etween the a jacent narrow portions of the bands on the display surface, whereas in prior display apparatus, it has been customary to allow some space between adJacent bands, the need for such space being due possibly to the different di- .rectional movements of the belts or bands.

Quickly dried colors are used in decorating the belts, and the colors are thinly spread. Emphasis is placed on the direction of movement of adjacent portions of each set of two belts. If the belts were photographic films or carried on some type of surface other than painted surfaces, possibly the direction of movement might not be particularly important. However, for painted surfaces of the type produced b the present method, it is necessary that t e belt movements be at the same rate of speed and in the same direction for contacting beltportions.

The apparatus lends itself readily to installationin display windows where it may be suitably enclosed to show only the pic, ture surfaces, or the apparatus may be provided with a casing or housing suflicient to enclose the machiner and reveal only the display surfaces. Tie apparatus may be adapted to. use in any size and shape, and for advertising, exhibition, artistic and educational purposes.

.While I have herein shown and described certain specific embodiments of my invention, for the purpose of disclosure, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its scope to such specific embodiments,

but contemplates all such variants and modifications thereof as fall within the scope of ports therefor arranged to guide the aprons a portion at a time through a common picture lane, each apron having a support at the picture plane and. one at the opposite end of the apron, and actuating means directly engaging said aprons for moving the same and located intermediate the length thereof, said guide supports being arranged to be mounted in said supporting frame and said actuating means being arranged to be conpled to, said driving mechanism for transmitting motion from said mechanism to said movable aprons.

2. In a changeable picture system, the combination with an exhibitin machine and a driving element therefor, 0 an interchange- 3. In a changeable picture display system,

element with driving mechanism therefor, of an interchangeable display unit comprising a support arranged to be connected to I the combination with a frame and a movable Y said frame and carrying a plurality of aprons arranged to be moved through a common picture plane, and bodily movable rigid connecting means directly fastened to each apron and arranged to be connected to said movable element for transmitting motion therefrom to said aprons when bodily moved. 7

4. In a changeable picture device, a display unit-comprising a plurality of picture aprons arranged to have portions thereof moved into and out of a common picture plane to constitute changeable ortions thereof and having means for hol ing-the aprons in proper coordinated relation and rigid bodily movable means engaging all of sald aprons for simultaneous movement thereof, in combination with supporting means for supporting said display unit in operative position and driving means arranged to be connected to said apron engaging means. a

5. A changeable picture display system comprising actuating mechanism together with interchangeable display units, each unit comprising a plurality of aprons arranged 7 to be moved through a common picture plane in unison, and a rigid bodily movable element connected to a plurality of said aprons and arranged to be connected with said actuating mechanismfor'moviilg said aprons in unison. 6. A changeable plcture devicecomprising a display surface or picture plane made up of a plurality of surface elements in the form of narrow strips arranged side by side and in contact with each other at the side margins to give the appearance of a solid front and contacting portions bein ranged to move together in the same timetion and at the same speed, said surface ele ments being constituted of portions of a plurality of different movable aprons arranged to be moved to change the portions contsituting the surface elements, an individual supporting guide for each surface element and located at said front and over which guides said surface elements are andparallel to each other, a plurality of adapted to move, and a rear set of en porting giudes, one for each apron, space from said guides of said front and on which said aprons are supported, adjacent. aprons being in contact with each other between the adjacent guides of said front. y

7. In a changeable picture apparatus, a display unit consisting of a plurality of looped aprons, each of the same length, two guide platens spaced apart and one positioned at each end of each loop and extending transversely through the loop and adapted to support the opposite ends of the loops when the latter are stretched taut, and a common rigid fastening element located be tinuous belt, and a common rigid fastening element-located between said fronts and secured to each of said aprons and bodily movable, whereby when said fastening element 'is moved all of said aprons move with it at the same rate of speed sliding over the platens of both'fronts according as the fastening element moves.

9. In a changeable picture apparatus, the combination with a supporting frame and driving mechanism mounted therewith, of an interchangeable display unit consisting of two oppositely faced fronts spaced apart, a plurality of guide platens in each front looped aprons each one extendin over opposite platens of both oppositely faced fronts and extending between said platens as a substantially continuous belt, and a common rigid fastening element located between said fronts and. secured to each of said aprons and bodily movable, whereby when said fastoning element is moved all of said aprons move with it at the same rate of speed sliding over. the platens of both fronts accord ing as the fastening element moves, said unit being collapsible when removed from said supporting frame, and means for conplin said opposite fronts to said supporting frame to tension said aprons and draw them taut between the said platens.

10. In a changeable picture device, a display unit comprising a plurality of aprons each looped over a pair of front and rear platens, said front and rear platens being supported in front and rear frames respectively and arranged to present the looped end portions of the aprons in a common plane in front and rear planes respectively,-

and an intermediate bodily movable substantially rigid element directly engaging each of said aprons whereby movement of all aprons is at the same rate of speed.

11. In a changeable picture device, a display unit comprising a front frame and a rear frame spaced apart, a plurality of platens mounted side by side in each frame, a

plurality of movable aprons looped one over each of a front and a rear platen, said platens being held in said frames at such a distance apart as to cause adjacent of said aprons to contact with each other in passing therebetween, a bodily movable intermediate frame encircling said aprons, cross beams connected across said intermediate frame through the apron loops, each beam being fastened to the adjacent members of a pair of loops for moving adjacent pairs in unison,

12. In a changeable picture device, .a picture plane made. up of'a plurality of elements arranged to have portions thereof moved into and out of the picture plane, and a unitary bodily movable actuating element directly engaging all of said elements removing all of them in unison.

of aprons arranged one above the other to be moved'in unison, means for transmitting 13. In a display device having a plurality motion to said aprons comprising a bodily .movable frame encircling the aprons and rigid beams carried by said frame and fastened one to each of adjacent aprons.

14: In a changeable picture device, a display unit comprising a front frame and a rear. frame, a plurality of platens mounted side-by-side in each frame, a pluralit of movable aprons each looped over a pair of platens, one a frontplaten and the others rear platen, a bodily movable intermediate frame surrounding said aprons, cross beams mounted in said intermediate frame, each beam connected to and connecting the four ends of a pair of aprons to complete two loops and connect them for direct movement by the intermediate frame. I

15. In a changeable picture device, a plurality of looped aprons arranged in a pile of elongated loops with the ends of the loops presented in a common plane and arranged to move to change the surface of the plane, said loops being formed in connected pairs, each pa1r comprising a pair of apron strips having their four ends fastened together, and a common transverse bodily movable actuating beam, extending across the strips and to which the four ends are secured for movin the pair in unison.

16. changeable picture device comprising a picture plane made up of surface clements constituted of portions of'movable aprons, bodily movably unitary action .I a mitting means fasteneddirectly to all the aprons, and driving mechanism detachably v ff cohnc'cted I with said motion transmitting 17; A changeable picture device comprising a-plcturc plane made up of surface ele-Q.

'ments constituted of portions of movable aprons, bod ly, mova l unitary motion transmittingmeans. fastened directly to all 0 of said aprons and having a limited oscillatory movement, and driving mechanism detachably connected with said motion transmitt-Zing means, and means operable upon a predetermined extent of movement of said transmitting means to reverse the direction of movement of said'driving mechanism.

18. A changeable picture device comprising a picture plane made up of surface elements constituted of. portions of movable I 20 aprons, bodily; movable unitary motion display;v unit comprising a plura transmitting means fastened directly to all said aprons and having'a limitedoseillatory movement, driving .mechanism detachably.

connected with said motion transmitting 2} means, and means for intermittently operating said driving mechanism, and means for reversing the direction of movement of said driving mechanism at predetermined positions of said transmitting means.

19. A changeable picture device comprising a picture plane made up of surface elements constituted of portionsv'of movable aprons, bodily movable unitary motion transmitting means, fastened directly to all 5 said aprons, and having a limited oscillatory movement, driving mechanism detachably connected with said motion transmitting means, together with means for intermittently operating said driving mechanism.

20. A changeable picture device comprising apicture plane made up-of surface elemcnts constituted of portions of movable aprons, bodily movable motion transmitting s over a platen in one front and over a platen means fastened directly to all said aprons,

and having a limited oscillatory movement,-

and driving mechanismdetachably con-- nected to said motionjtransmitting means combined with means operable upon a predetermined extent of movement of said 50. transmitting means to reverse the direction of movement of'said driving mechanism,

" and means for variably adjusting the points of reversal.

'21. Ina changeable picture apparatuaa, "a: display unit comprising aplura ity; of dec tending toward each other, each apron being means holdingthe opposite ends of each; apron, two gu de platens in each looped of thesame length, and common securing v apron andspaced apart. and one positioned at each end of each loop and adapted to sup port the opposite ends of said loops when -the latter are stretched taut, the end .por-

t-ions at one end of said plurality of aprons being'in a first common plane,constituting a first dis lay'surface, and the opposite en portions eing. in a different and second' plane and constituting a second dis lay-surface,-and means for moving said ecorated looped aprons over said platens to change surface. I 4

22. In a changeable picture apparatus, a ity of dec orated looped aprons arranged face to face and with opposite ends of each apron extending toward each other, two guide platens in each looped apron and spaced a art and one positioned at each end of each 00 and the picture displayed in each plane display adapted to support the opposite ends 0 said I loops when the latter are stretched taut,the

end portions at one end of said plurality of aprons being in a first common plane, constitutinga first display surface, and the opposite endportions being in a different and second plane and constituting a second dis play surface, and means for moving said decorated looped aprons 111111115011 over 831d:

platens tochange the {picture displayed in each-plane display sur' ace j i 23.; In a changeable picture ap aratus, a

' displa unit consisting of two disp ay fronts spacet apart, a plurality of guide platens in each front and all-platens in either front being parallel to each other, a plurality of looped decorated aprons each one extending inthc other front, and extending between the two fronts as a substantially endless belt, "each. display face being composed of I Y and means to move said aprons over said platens to change the displa on both fronts. o In testimony whereof I a x my signature.

A EXANDER ARCHIPENKO." 

